Announcement of GP Out of Hours service is a victory for the people of North Wicklow – Brady

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow/East Carlow John Brady has given a
cautious welcome to the news that the GP Out of Hours Service to cover North
Wicklow is to be in place by June.

Speaking following the announcement that funding has been
secured for the service, Teachta Brady said:

“Over the last year, Sinn Féin have lead the campaign to
have a HSE funded GP Out of Hours Service for the people of North Wicklow. In
2016, we had announcements that the funding was secured for the service and
that it would be in place in early 2017. Unfortunately, that funding was pulled
without explanation. So, I cautiously welcome the latest announcement, and will
keep the pressure on until the service is operational.

“North Wicklow remains as one of the largest urban areas in
the State to be without such a service and continues to cause huge problems for
people needing to access a GP outside surgery hours. We have already had a
number of public meetings and handed in a petition to Minister Harris containing
hundreds of signatures.

“In recent weeks, we have heard of horrific cases of people
being left without emergency care outside of normal GP hours and the
consequences of such. This is the very reason that this service is so badly and
urgently needed. The operation of the service is expected to go out for tender
in February and it’s expected that it will be fully operational by June.”

Cllr Michael O’Connor commented:

“Sinn Féin has been to the forefront in ensuring that the GP
Out of Hours service is now finally being delivered. Over the last year, we
have ran a very successful campaign, we have held public meetings in Bray and
Greystones and last October, I, along with my fellow Sinn Féin Councillors and
John, handed in a petition containing hundreds of signatures to Minister Harris
in Leinster House.”

Cllr Nicola Lawless added:

“This is fantastic news for the people of North Wicklow.
When operational, the service is intended to cover the night time hours from
Monday to Friday and 24 hour cover at weekends and Public Holidays, providing
urgent General Practitioner services to patients outside of normal surgery
hours. It is expected that approximately 9,000 patients per month will benefit
from this GP Out of Hours Service. This will replace the unsatisfactory private
arrangements that are currently in place. This service will bring an end to
patients having to wait 36hours or more to see a GP, or having to go to A&E
because of the inability to access a GP which is a critical part of Primary
Care.”

Teachta Brady concluded:

“Whilst this announcement is welcome, we will keep the
pressure on the Minister to ensure that the people of North Wicklow finally get
the critically needed GP Service and that the funding isn’t pulled again.”